Residents of Australia are saved from forest fires off the coast

The city of Mallakuta on the southeastern coast of Australia is practically isolated due to forest fires. Locals are forced to leave at home, retreating to the water. The city remains in thick smoke. This was reported by Associated Press.

Incredible - and Frightening - Photos are emerging from mallacoota, ASALL Town in the EAST GIPPSLAND REGION VICTORIA, WRET ABOUT 4000 PEOPLE ARE SHELTERING NEAR WATER, Protected by CFA Tankers. Visit @Theage %27S Live Blog for updates: https://t.co/vapfn2yc20 #vicfires pic.twitter.com/bv8jzqmvbu

- The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh) December 31, 2019

The population of Mallakuta is about four thousand people. The authorities of Victoria announced plans to evacuate residents of the city by water. Due to the fire, the main highway of the region was closed, you can only reach some settlements by sea.

Residents of the resort cities of Bermagui and Baitmans Bay in the new South Wales also go to the sea, trying to escape from smoke.

The fire spreads especially quickly due to a record-high temperature of 40 degrees Celsius and strong winds. In total, by December 31, more than a hundred fireswere found in the country, half of them are uncontrolled.

Fires in Australia have been continuing since autumn. At least 12 people were killed, more than a thousand houses were destroyed. Since September, fires in the eastern states have covered several million hectares. According to experts, about 480 million animals were killed in the fire.

• On the eve of the City Council of Sydney decided to organize New Year's fireworks, despite the forest fires that have gripped the country. This caused a wave of protests. About 300 thousand people signed the petition for the abolition of the event. Other large -scale fireworks in Australia are canceled or postponed.
• Every year, hundreds of thousands of people gather at the Harbor-Bridge bridge. This brings millions of income to tourist facilities.